Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I have read all of Alton Gansky's books and enjoyed them all. My two favorites have been Ship Possessed and The Prodigy. Whenever I want to turn someone on to Mr. Gansky's books, I let them borrow The Prodigy. It is well written and grabs the reader from the first page. I usually read his books in 1 or 2 days because I can't put them down! I may be a little biased, as I know Al Gansky personally. I attended his church for 2 years and he officiated at my son's wedding. When my husband and I moved 2 years ago, Al presented me with a typed manuscript of The Prodigy. I was privileged to be one of the first to read this terrific book (typed pages in a 3 ring binder) and purchased myself a copy as soon as it was published. 5 stars to the book and it's author!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Mystery
Review: I loved this book. It kept me on edge from begining to end. My heart went out to the little boy and his mother. The suspense kept building right to end.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO! Very well done!!
Review: Imagine, having a young messiah healing the sick and doing miracles. But don't be fooled, one day a false messiah will arise. There are a lot of Wellman's out there whose only goal is to make money and plenty of it. Never to share a gift such as Toby's for the good of others (oh brother, right?). Thomas York, a brillant mind. His search for modern day (show me now) miracles leads him to meet Toby. Thomas never knew how sick his father was. When Dr Pratt & Dr Edison go searching for Thomas to tell him is when their faith was severely tested. Faced with death, God intervenes in a marciously way saving their lives. Thomas York's life was taken to heights he never imagined. God taught him in how seeking for miracles outside HIS realm was a lesson he'll never forget.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO! Very well done!!
Review: Imagine, having a young messiah healing the sick and doing miracles. But don't be fooled, one day a false messiah will arise. There are a lot of Wellman's out there whose only goal is to make money and plenty of it. Never to share a gift such as Toby's for the good of others (oh brother, right?). Thomas York, a brillant mind. His search for modern day (show me now) miracles leads him to meet Toby. Thomas never knew how sick his father was. When Dr Pratt & Dr Edison go searching for Thomas to tell him is when their faith was severely tested. Faced with death, God intervenes in a marciously way saving their lives. Thomas York's life was taken to heights he never imagined. God taught him in how seeking for miracles outside HIS realm was a lesson he'll never forget.
Rating: 
Summary: A Little Lumpy, but Satisfying
Review: Let's put it this way...reading Gansky can be compared to going out to a buffet after a hard day's work. Gansky's books provide a variety of flavors--action, mystery, supernatural elements, even attempts at hinted romance--and are sure to have something for just about everyone.In this, the fourth of Gansky's novels I've read ("A Ship Possessed" is still my favorite), the story centers around a young boy with supernatural abilities to see people's pain, emotional and physical, and to bring healing. Young Toby is a prodigy of sorts, sought after by the money-hungry and the disease-stricken. His mother is a simple, but honest woman, caught up in the flurry of activity around her son. Thomas York, a seminary student searching for truth in his relationship with God, meets up with Toby, awed by the supernatural power. These characters have elements worth caring about, but Toby's basic invincibility and the criminals' basic stupidity (you know, the ones that always talk instead of shooting the hero) made it difficult for me to feel genuine concern for their well-being. Also, the radio-talk-show-host-turned-cult-leader was a bit of a stretch for me. That said, I think Gansky deftly handles some scenes, particularly a harrowing battle for survival in the ocean. He serves up a buffet and I closed the final pages feeling as though I'd been fed and generally satisfied. The message of seeking after a relationship with God over miracles was well-made without discounting God's power. I read many books, particularly thrillers. Only on occasion do I get to enjoy the delectable home-made feasts of a Frank Peretti, John LeCarre, or James Lee Burke. Though this doesn't reach that level, it does make an entertaining and thought-provoking read. As long as Gansky keeps serving them up, I'll keep going through the line.
Rating: 
Summary: Great start, fascinating premise, could have ended better
Review: The premise of this book unfolds quickly. A boy born to a poor single woman in rural Appalachia has the ability to heal others with a glance, and see into the hidden psyche of the people he meets. After going to the hospital with an injury that quickly heals on its own, he simply walks down the hall and people are healed of terminal illnesses! The story is at its best from here. His mother who tires of the abuse by the boys father, moves with just her belongings in an old car and sets out across the country for California and a better life. This part of the story was wonderful, rich and full of images and moods. One could almost see the country unfolding along the way, as anyone who loves road trips can attest to. When a late night conspiracy based talk radio disc jockey gets a call about a boy with strange powers, a cross country search for the boy by a super rich and dying business man ensues. While I loved the story, and the experience, the author really doesn't fully explore the theological implications and the ending wraps up all loose ends except for the main premise itself. It is obvious the author is talented, and the book has wonderful moments, but a sequel would be great to further explore the life of the prodigy.
Rating:
Summary: Great start, fascinating premise, could have ended better
Review: The premise of this book unfolds quickly. A boy born to a poor single woman in rural Appalachia has the ability to heal others with a glance, and see into the hidden psyche of the people he meets. After going to the hospital with an injury that quickly heals on its own, he simply walks down the hall and people are healed of terminal illnesses! The story is at its best from here. His mother who tires of the abuse by the boys father, moves with just her belongings in an old car and sets out across the country for California and a better life. This part of the story was wonderful, rich and full of images and moods. One could almost see the country unfolding along the way, as anyone who loves road trips can attest to. When a late night conspiracy based talk radio disc jockey gets a call about a boy with strange powers, a cross country search for the boy by a super rich and dying business man ensues. While I loved the story, and the experience, the author really doesn't fully explore the theological implications and the ending wraps up all loose ends except for the main premise itself. It is obvious the author is talented, and the book has wonderful moments, but a sequel would be great to further explore the life of the prodigy.
Rating:
Summary: Good Fiction!
Review: The Prodigy is one of those books that occasionally makes you say outloud "Yeah!". But unfortunately has a few moments where you say, "That's it?" I think Alton Gansky is a great writer, but I think he needs to concentrate on the climax of his novels. He starts off his novels with a punch so strong, sometimes the endings can't live up to the previous writing. However, all that said, I think The Prodigy is an excellent story. I felt the pain and suffering of Toby's mother through-out this story. Anyone who wants to read a suspense/mystery novel written by a storyteller committed to his craft (not just after a paycheck) should purchase The Prodigy. I would also highly recommend all of Gansky's other novels. I haven't found a bad one yet. See ya next time! www.therunninggirl.com
Rating:
Summary: Good Fiction!
Review: The Prodigy is one of those books that occasionally makes you say outloud "Yeah!". But unfortunately has a few moments where you say, "That's it?" I think Alton Gansky is a great writer, but I think he needs to concentrate on the climax of his novels. He starts off his novels with a punch so strong, sometimes the endings can't live up to the previous writing. However, all that said, I think The Prodigy is an excellent story. I felt the pain and suffering of Toby's mother through-out this story. Anyone who wants to read a suspense/mystery novel written by a storyteller committed to his craft (not just after a paycheck) should purchase The Prodigy. I would also highly recommend all of Gansky's other novels. I haven't found a bad one yet. See ya next time! www.therunninggirl.com
Rating:
Summary: Good Fiction!
Review: The Prodigy is one of those books that occasionally makes you say outloud "Yeah!". But unfortunately has a few moments where you say, "That's it?" I think Alton Gansky is a great writer, but I think he needs to concentrate on the climax of his novels. He starts off his novels with a punch so strong, sometimes the endings can't live up to the previous writing. However, all that said, I think The Prodigy is an excellent story. I felt the pain and suffering of Toby's mother through-out this story. Anyone who wants to read a suspense/mystery novel written by a storyteller committed to his craft (not just after a paycheck) should purchase The Prodigy. I would also highly recommend all of Gansky's other novels. I haven't found a bad one yet. See ya next time! www.therunninggirl.com
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